How Silverleaf Eldercare Creates a Homelike Environment for Residents

A person who turned 65 in 2020 has a 70% chance of needing some form of long-term senior care during the remainder of their life, with 13% of people set to move to assisted living according to LongTermCare.gov.

According to a report by the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the top priorities of aging adults in the next ten years include family, improving health and physical condition, having fun, and nurturing relationships and friendships.

Figures and findings highlight the importance of creating more senior living environments that truly feel like home, allowing seniors to continue pursuing meaningful hobbies, staying active, and building relationships in residential senior care.

How Senior Living Communities Can Create a ‘Home’

In a valuable study by Canham et al. (2019), residents, family caregivers, and senior living staff members were interviewed about their perceptions of ‘home’ in long-term senior care. Four critical avenues were identified through which senior care communities can foster a sense of homeliness. These were:

(1) Physical environment.

(2) Personalization and privacy.

(3) Choice, autonomy, and flexibility.

(4) Togetherness and connectedness.

How Silverleaf Eldercare Uses These Areas to Create a Homelike Environment

(1) Physical Environment

Recently renovated to an exceptional standard, Silverleaf Eldercare is brimming with home comforts. Decorated with beautiful artwork, ornaments, and fresh flowers throughout, our community has been mindfully designed to maintain the layout of a true home. Highlights of one home includes:

      • Comfortable living area for relaxing and socializing, complete with an electric fireplace, 60″ Smart TV, and an array of plush H-Contract couches and recliner chairs.
      • Bright and airy sunroom featuring wraparound windows, a garden view, and access to our gorgeous outdoor bird and butterfly sanctuary.
      • The dining room has a 55″ Smart TV, comfortable seating, round tables to encourage social mealtimes, and a contemporary beverage bar for residents and visitors. The dining room is connected to an open-plan kitchen equipped with all the latest appliances for our chefs.
      • Cozy private bedrooms with a modern and comfortable bed, individually controlled air conditioning, and Smart Lighting that works with the body’s circadian rhythm to promote more restful sleep.

(2) Personalization and Privacy

Everyday life at Silverleaf Eldercare is personalized to the finest detail, helping residents enjoy the privacy they deserve.

For example:

      • We offer different bedroom formats to suit individual preferences, including private single and semi-private double rooms perfect for couples. Bedrooms can be furnished to suit a senior’s personal preferences.
      • IN2L allows residents to access over 5,000 content applications tailored to their interests, abilities, and needs.
      • We recognize that some seniors moving to our community already have strong relationships with trusted home health specialists. We understand the value of these longstanding connections, so residents are welcome to continue being supported by their chosen home health provider while living with us.
      • Chef-prepared meals can be personalized to suit various dietary needs and preferences. Some of our residents’ varied diets include vegan, low-carb, paleo, vegetarian, and keto. We strive to serve a balanced combination of delicacies and comfort foods. Mealtimes at Silverleaf Eldercare always involve choice, and our friendly chefs are open to requests.

(3) Choice, Autonomy, and Flexibility

Remaining as independent as possible can nurture feelings of self-esteem, dignity, and purpose in seniors. Our exceptionally high staff-to-resident ratio allows caregivers to spend more time with each resident. In turn, this reduced time pressure means staff can encourage residents to complete activities of daily living (ADLs) as independently as possible.

Activities in which caregivers strive to support residents’ independence include:

      • Showering
      • Using the toilet
      • Getting dressed
      • Eating and drinking
      • Moving around the home
      • Getting in and out of bed

The accessible design of our newly renovated assisted living home has also been mindfully constructed to help seniors remain as independent and autonomous as possible.

For example:

      • Raised toilets, zero-entry showers, non-slip tiling, and grab bars allow seniors with reduced mobility to maintain dignity and independence when using the bathroom.
      • Our assisted living house does not have stairs, allowing wheelchair users and seniors with reduced mobility to move around the home more freely. We also have wooden flooring that is free from sudden changes in floor height throughout. We also keep floors clutter-free to minimize fall risk for residents.
      • Bedrooms feature individually controlled air conditioning, so residents can sleep at a temperature that suits them.

(4) Togetherness and Connectedness

As a proud small, assisted living home, residents, staff members, and family caregivers naturally form close bonds and join as a true community. Inviting communal living and dining spaces are designed to encourage natural social interaction and the formation of friendships, and regular social events for residents and family caregivers help nurture an essential sense of togetherness.

We also offer an impressive range of activities for residents to enjoy each week. These activities (including karaoke, bowling, balloon volleyball, and chair yoga) cater to various interests and personalities. All our activities are hosted onsite and supported by caregivers and can, therefore, be safely enjoyed by residents with health issues like reduced mobility or cognitive decline.

To find out why residents’ family caregivers describe Silverleaf Eldercare as a ‘lovely home environment’ with a ‘home and village feel,’ get in touch today to organize a guided tour of our unique residential senior care setting.